The dash project...

[Ltngdrvr]

Part of my new gauge install includes a rehab of the rest of the dash, as much as I can afford to do anyway. And it will mostly be a cosmetic rehab.

First on the cosmetic end was a new dash top. Couldn't afford a new complete dash pad so I bought a dash cap that covers the existing dash pad with a plastic cap. It glues on with silicone.

This was another ebay find and is actually a cap for a Mustang dash pad and includes the raised section above the gauges that is unique to the mustang dash. I was told that it probably wouldn't fit right over the Zephyr dash pad but it went on with no problems. It came from Mustangs Unlimited and was only $65 plus shipping. The least expensive Fairmont/Zephyr dash cap that I could find was $99, this was another reason I got the mustang cap.

Didn't think to take any pics of the original dash pad before I glued the cap on, suffice it to say that it is pretty nasty under the cap.

Here's some pics of the new cap on the old pad:

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000957a.jpg

The raised section above the gauge area:

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000953a.jpg

Bottom of the pad:

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000955a.jpg

More to follow...

[Ltngdrvr]

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000956a.sized.jpg

[Ltngdrvr]

The gauge panel and gauges:

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album466/IM000942a.jpg

[Ltngdrvr]

Dash pad with cap and gauge panel re-installed:

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000958a.jpg

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000959a.jpg

http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000960a.jpg

Now, on to the SEATS!!!:D

[myler]

Wow i've been meaning to get one of those caps, it looks really nice. Do you have any up close where to cap ends, does it wrap underneath the front lip?

[86_Notch]

man that looks really good !!!!!!!

[Ltngdrvr]

Wow i've been meaning to get one of those caps, it looks really nice. Do you have any up close where to cap ends, does it wrap underneath the front lip?

Thanks all for the kudos, I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

The cap doesn't wrap underneath anywhere except across the front but not on the ends. If it did it would interfere with the way the pad sits down over the dash.

[83rsturbo]

That's funny I found a perfect Fairmount pad in the jy and it was a blue one I dyed red to put in my capri That cap looks great

[Ltngdrvr]

I really dig these green LED bulbs for the gauges, looks COOOOOOOLLLL!!!!:cool:


http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums/album471/IM000966.jpg

[boxtop79]

Man that looks real nice! And I'm diggin those green gages.nice touch

[mustang4life1985]

Man that looks real nice! And I'm diggin those green gages.nice touch

Nice job with those guages. They look really good! :tu:

[ncontt]

Wow i've been meaning to get one of those caps, it looks really nice. Do you have any up close where to cap ends, does it wrap underneath the front lip?

dayam girl, I didn't know you were on here too...lol, nice avatar btw...how old is that pic? LOL [/hijack] ;)

[LTDScott]

I'm guessing the LED bulbs don't dim when you turn the dimmer switch down?

[Ltngdrvr]

I'm guessing the LED bulbs don't dim when you turn the dimmer switch down?

Don't know, haven't tried that. Knowing the way a LED works, I guess they wouldn't. I suppose once the voltage dropped below a certain point they would just go out.

They are polarity sensitive, if you put them in wrong they won't light up, you have to take them out and turn them around.

[TWR2003]

Ltngdrvr,

I thought I read one of your posts where you were going to install an entire new (black?) dash - but cant find it now.


Just JYI-

If you plan to change out the entire dash keep in mind that the plastic material that Ford used to injection mold them back in the 70s/80s was pretty crude compared to the advanced polymers we have today. The material used then was probably ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or an ABS type polymer. Over time the affects of aging - especially exposure to oxygen, ozone, and UV make that stuff extremely brittle - especially in thin sections and around fastener holes. Even when it was new late 70s/early 80s ABS was brittle (its a better material today due to better polymer engineering). Be extremely delicate when handing and removing/installing those dashes and especially when tightening fasteners around mounting holes, etc.

Hope that helps and good luck.

T

[Ltngdrvr]

Ltngdrvr,

I thought I read one of your posts where you were going to install an entire new (black?) dash - but cant find it now.


Just JYI-

If you plan to change out the entire dash keep in mind that the plastic material that Ford used to injection mold them back in the 70s/80s was pretty crude compared to the advanced polymers we have today. The material used then was probably ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or an ABS type polymer. Over time the affects of aging - especially exposure to oxygen, ozone, and UV make that stuff extremely brittle - especially in thin sections and around fastener holes. Even when it was new late 70s/early 80s ABS was brittle (its a better material today due to better polymer engineering). Be extremely delicate when handing and removing/installing those dashes and especially when tightening fasteners around mounting holes, etc.

Hope that helps and good luck.

T

I'm PAINFULLY aware of how weak the original plastic of the dash is. My dash in the car now is cracked all to chit. I have so much JB weld on it that there seems to be more JB than original plastic!:mad:

That is why I am so stoked to be getting a black dash that is in such good condition. It will help me with the cracked old blue dash and help me on the color change too.

Wonder if there is anything I could spray on the new dash before I install it to help strengthen it??? Maybe I should just mix up a big batch of JB weld and coat the whole inside of it!:)

[myler]

dayam girl, I didn't know you were on here too...lol, nice avatar btw...how old is that pic? LOL [/hijack] ;)

haha it was taken last year thank you. should I invest in kitty litter and mobil 1 or have you got those oil leaks stopped yet. [/hijackback]

[cylhead8]

if you try latemodelrestoration.com,down here in texas.They make a repop dash for our cars.I bought a new blue dash,no dying needed.these dashes are excellent,the only difference is that they are a little heavier due to thicker materials used.$179.00+tax. give em a call or order online.

[Ltngdrvr]

if you try latemodelrestoration.com,down here in texas.They make a repop dash for our cars.I bought a new blue dash,no dying needed.these dashes are excellent,the only difference is that they are a little heavier due to thicker materials used.$179.00+tax. give em a call or order online.

They make a dash PAD, already considered that but am satisfied with the cap I got from mustangs unlimited.

And I am down here in Texas...;)

[TWR2003]

if you try latemodelrestoration.com,down here in texas.They make a repop dash for our cars.I bought a new blue dash,no dying needed.these dashes are excellent,the only difference is that they are a little heavier due to thicker materials used.$179.00+tax. give em a call or order online.

Not only is it just the PAD - not the dash itself - but its a Mustang dash pad which is different than a F/Z dash pad. Yes, you can (and many have) use the Mustang pad - it fits well - but it is different.

T

[Ltngdrvr]

Not only is it just the PAD - not the dash itself - but its a Mustang dash pad which is different than a F/Z dash pad. Yes, you can (and many have) use the Mustang pad - it fits well - but it is different.

T

My dash cap is a Mustang cap, has the raised area above the gauge panel.

[JACook]

if you try latemodelrestoration.com,down here in texas.They make a repop dash for our cars.I bought a new blue dash,no dying needed.these dashes are excellent,the only difference is that they are a little heavier due to thicker materials used.$179.00+tax. give em a call or order online.

Are these the Mustang-style pads, or do they still have some of the Fairmont-style
Mustang pads they accidentally made?

[Ltngdrvr]

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!

Just got back from picking up my FREE charcoal '85 dash and console. It's dirty but in real good shape. Gonna look GOOOOOODDDDD!!!!!:D

Install will have to wait until I get the new motor transplanted.;)

Also picked up a FREE set of new motor mounts from the same guy I got the dash from. :D

Ain't networking great!?!?

[TWR2003]

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!

Just got back from picking up my FREE charcoal '85 dash and console. It's dirty but in real good shape.


Be carefull with it. If you breath too hard on it it will crack. How about some pics of it before you install it?

T

[Ltngdrvr]

Be carefull with it. If you breath too hard on it it will crack. How about some pics of it before you install it?

T

It's nowhere near as brittle as the old '79 blue dash, nice and solid.

I will post up pics, may be a while, have other stuff to concentrate on getting the new motor in.